Button



(No Model.)

0. RADGLIFPB.

BUTTON.

No. 269,323. Patented 1390.19, 1882.

INVBNTOR. WITNESSES: I v M W W a SM ORNEY'.

@wr AT UNITED STATES ATENT Grrrcn.

CHARLES RADGLIFFE, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

BUTTON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 269,323, dated December 19, 1882.

Application filed June 20, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beitknown that I, CHARLES RADCLIFFE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented new and useful improvements in buttons and method of securing the same to articles of clothing, of which the following is a specification.

My in vention relates to improvements in buttons and the method of securing such to articles of clothing; and it consists in providing the main part of a button at the point where the eye is usually located with a bar extending across an opening therein in such a manner as to permit of the insertion of a slitted notched shank-fastener, which is adapted to enter said opening and spring apart or straddle the bar when pressed into position, and closing upon said bar in such a manner as to lock the said shank and button firmly and securelytogether.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l represents a sectional view of my improved button. Fig. 2 represents an enlarged view of the slitted shank. Fig. 3 represents an enlargedview of the slitted or split shank with its notch or barb grasping the cross-bar as when secured in position for use. Fig. 4 represents an enlarged section of my improved button cut through its center, showing a sleeve or neck piece secured to the base of the button, with thesplit shank inserted and closed upon the bar by which the parts are secured together; Fig. 5, a button showing the bar in side View.

A is the button proper; B, the shank-piece; O, the split shank or post; D, the bar across the center of the holein the base of the button upon which the split shank is straddled. and by which the latter is held inposition. E is a sleeve serving to support the shank B, and to determine the length of neck between the base of the button and the flange of the shank-piece for the varied thickness of material to or upon which they are to be connected. The bar with which the base of the button is provided, before alluded to, may be formed by cutting and folding over upon itself a portion of the metal cut away to form the opening through said base for the admission of the shank; or the bar may be separate, formed of wire, and soldered or riveted into position or otherwise. I prefer, however, to have the said bar slightly flattened upon that side upon which the barbs of the split shank grasp, in order that the latter may more firmly grasp and hold upon it.

My invention is more particularly adapted to metallic and composition buttons, although it is applicable toany other kind in which the main part-0t the sameis capable of having the proper opening and sufficient strength and rigidity to support the bar to be embraced by the shank.

The construction and formation of the several details are so fully illustrated that a further description would seem superfluous.

To attach the button to an article a punch or pointed instrument may be used toform the hole at the proper point for the admission of the shank which is passed through it into the sleeve or opening in the base of the button upon the bar by pushing it sufficiently to cause the slit to yield outwardly to allow it to pass over the bar to the enlarged or barbed .opening, when it closes upon and locks itself securely in position, as shown.

One advantage is gained by the use of my invention over others ofthe self-fasteningclass, which is this: \Vhen desirable the button may be removed by the use of an instrument for springing open the split or slit in a manner to allow the withdrawal of the shank from the button proper.

Another important advantage of my invention consists in being able to dispense with the use of machinery or tools for applying the buttons other than the punch or bodkin before referred to, and it is obvious that the point of shears or scissors will serve the pur pose quite as \vell,so thataspecial tool is unnecessary.

Having thus set forth my invention, what 1 claim as new,and desire to secure by Letters Patent-of the United States of America, is-- l. The combinatiomwith a button-head provided with an opening in its base and a bar across said opening, of a split or slitted barbed shank for uniting said parts, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with a button-head provided with an opening and a bar crossing the same, substantially as described, of a split shank-piece adapted to be forced upon said bar and lock itself, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. A self-fastening button consisting of a top or head proper, provided with an open base, a sleeve, and a split shank-piece graspin g a cross-bar by which the parts are looked together, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

CHARLES RADOLIFFE. Witnesses:

JOHN DANE, J r., JOSEPH M. CRANE. 

